Starting from RM1.3 million, the third-generation Porsche Panamera has just gone on sale in Malaysia—a car handled by Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP).
Even with a quick glance, many punters may not be aware they are looking an all-new Panamera, a sports sedan that redefined the genre. Look even closer, and you’ll see a second air intake above the license plate, that, according to Porsche, helps offset the driving systems’ greater need for air.
In Malaysia, the third-generation Panamera comes standard with a set of Matrix LED headlights with the option to use the more brilliant HD Matrix LED lighting system.
The gutsy 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 engine that powers the third-generation Panamera in Malaysia is said to have been tuned to produce 353 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. When paired with an eight-speed PDK gearbox, the Panamera can jump from 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, and will reach a top speed of 272 km/h.
The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is standard on the dual-chamber, two-valve air suspension of the third-generation Panamera, while rear-wheel steering is an available option.
Stepping inside the latest Panamera, you’ll see a gear selector to the left of the steering wheel that resembles a toggle switch, just like that in the Taycan and Cayenne. The four-door grand tourer has two screens: a 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia head unit that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.6-inch curved digital instrument panel.
This optional 10.9-inch front passenger display is a recent addition. It facilitates video streaming while driving and permits the infotainment system to function. The passenger display is hidden out of view from the driver’s seat to keep the driver focused on the road.
Porsche has improved the Panamera’s active safety systems in terms of safety by adding a traffic sign recognition feature that can now communicate with the active speed assistant. The Panamera won’t automatically exceed the designated speed limit while its engaged.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Packed with technology and boasting new, more stylish exterior lines, the Panamera is a 4-door, 4-seater that’s hard to ignore. With its 393hp V6 and brilliant 8-speed Porsche PDK transmission, enthusiasts and potential buyers alike will find this Porsche hard to ignore as it outperforms its rivals.